BY Kim Genardo
NBC17
RALEIGH, N.C. — The rush is on to lose weight and stop smoking.

During the State Employees 2009 Health and Wellness Expo at the North Carolina Fairgrounds Wednesday, among the most crowded booths — weight loss plans, fitness memberships and healthy eating options.

State workers and those covered under the State Health Plan will pay higher premiums next July if they don’t kick the habit.

Then the following year, July 2011, those deemed overweight will pay more too.

Molly Taylor who helped organize the expo said weight loss is all the talk when she’s working in the state auditor’s office.

“We have some wives who are helping their husbands loose weight cause they didn’t do it for any other reason, but now that it’s going to cost them money the husbands will loose the weight,” said Taylor.

Gov. Bev Perdue spoke to the crowd and encouraged them all to become role models.

She told the crowd she lost nearly 100 pounds in the 1990s, she gave up smoking in 2003, and now she exercises everyday and must manage her high blood pressure.

“I just decided I could control my own destiny.  If state employees want to do that, I’m here to cheer them on. But again, this is personal, nobobdy can make you do it. It’s something you have to decide to do,” said Perdue.

But what about those who are not as motivated? Eventually they’ll be paying more for their health coverage. Lawmakers approved changes to the plan during the budget session.

“The health plan is done by the General Assembly and someday I’m hopeful to have that changed. I’ve never been a fan of how decisions are made for premium changes,” said Perdue.

The health plan covers 667,000 state employees and teachers.

Lawmakers will consider a renewal in 2011.